Centrifuge heating device



Jan. 22, 1957 GARRETT 2,778,566

CENTRIFUGE HEATING DEVICE Filed Sept. 25, 1955 2 sneaks-sheet 1 INVENT OR Z5 GCJCa-wreii ATTORNEYS Jan. 22, 1957 G. J. GARRETT 2,778,566

CENTRIFUGE HEATING DEVICE Filed Sept. 23, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS n Ice I Patented Jan. 22, 1957 CENTRIFUGE HEATING DEVICE Gilbert I. Garrett, Pampa, Tex. Application September 23, 1953, Serial No. 381,866

3 Claims. (Cl. 233-11) This invention relates to a centrifuge, and more, particularly to a means for heating the centrifuge.

In the present centrifuge, a plurality of receptacles are pivotally carried by a carrier mounted on a shaft which is rotated at a rapid rate by a power means and one of the primary objects of this invention is to provide in combination with such a centrifuge, means for heating the receptacles as they are being rotated, so that the separation process may be advanced and efiiciently carried out.

Another object of this invention is to provide a heating means for a centrifuge which will not present any fire hazard, so that volatile liquids can be safely heated.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a centrifuge, means whereby the rotation of the receptacles will circulate the heating means.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in combination with a centrifuge, a heating manifold secured about the centrifuge housing having a circulative duct fixed to the closure for the housing and connected to the manifold by means of a releasable coupling.

With the above and other objects in view, this invention consists in the arrangement, combination and details of construction disclosed in the drawings and specification, and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detailed side elevation of a centrifuge having a heating means constructed according to an embodiment of this invention mounted thereon.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the closure for the housing in open position with the heating circulating duct disconnected from the manifold.

Referring to the drawings the numeral 10 designates generally a centrifuge which is formed of a bowl or housing 11 mounted on a base 12 within which a power member is disposed, and the power member is preferably in the form of an electric motor which is connected to a source of current supply by means of a conductor 13. The centrifuge 10 includes a vertically disposed drive shaft 14 having mounted on the upper end thereof a receptacle carrier 15. The carrier 15 is formed with oppositely disposed forks 16 on which receptacles 17 are pivotally mounted.

The housing 11 includes a top wall 18 having a hinged closure member 19. The construction hereinbefore described is conventional, and is herein shown as one type of centrifuge means with which the heating construction embodied in this invention is adapted to be combined. In order to provide a means whereby the liquid in each receptacle 17 may be heated as the receptacles are rapidly rotating and assume a substantially horizontal position, there is provided a pair of heating'coils 20' which extend in spaced relation relative to the housing 11 and are connected to an inlet coupling 21 and an outlet coupling 22.

The inlet coupling 21 is adapted for connection with a heated fluid medium source, and the heated fluid, such as water, is circulated through the coils 20. The coils 20 are encased in a manifold 23 which is of split construction and is formed with outwardly projecting ears '24 which are drawn toward each other by means of a fastening or clamping bolt 25 so that the manifold 23 will be tightly clamped about the housing or bowl 11.

The bowl or housing 11 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart openings 26 which communicate with the manifold 23 between the coils 20. A pair of 'jL-shaped couplings or connectors 27 are secured in the outer 'wall 28 of the manifold 23 and each coupling 27 has extending upwardly therefrom a nipple 29 forming one part" of a releasable coupling. Horizontally disposed pipes 30 are secured to the closure 19 by means of fastening elements 31, and the pipes 30 are spaced from the lid or closure 19 by the spacers 32. The remotely disposed ends of the pipes 30 have secured thereto L-shaped connecters 33 each of which are formed with a sleeve 34 adapted to telescope over the upper end of each nipple 29, respectively and to frictionally engage about the nipples 29 in a fluid tight connection.

The pipes 30 have interposed between their adjacent ends a T-shaped coupling 35 which is secured to a nipple 36 fastened to the lid 19 by crimping or upsetting the lower end of the nipple 36 as indicated at 37. The coupling 35 and the nipple 36 form the intake means for heated air to enter the housing 11 through the lid 19.

The manifold 23 has disposed on the inner side thereof 'a heat insulating lining 38 and at the point where the split manifold is clamped together the confronting ends of the manifoldare sealed by means of a flexible or compressible'sealing means 39.

In the use and operation of this centrifuge the receptacles 17 are rapidly rotated with rotation of shaft 14 so that the receptacles 17 will assume a substantially horizontal position. At this time the outer ends of the receptacles will be disposed in substantially confronting position to the air outlet ports oropenings 26. The rotation of the receptacles 17 will create a flow of air toward the ports and the air is forced out of the housing through the ports or openings 26 into the manifold 23. The air passing through the manifold 23 is heated by the heating coils 2t) and the heated air then flows outwardly through the connecters 27 and upwardly through the nipples 29 and into the pipes 30. The air in the pipes 30 flows to the center of the pipe from opposite directions downwardly through the stem of T 35 to the center and top of the housing 11. Y

The air then enters the vortex of the whirlpool du to the suction created by the rotating receptacles 17 and the pressure effected at their remote ends. Thus it is seen that the air is circulated about the housing 11 and the receptacles 17. The heating means hereinbefore described will provide sufiicient heat to heat the interior of the centrifuge housing and the centrifuge receptacles so that the liquid in the receptacles will be heated to the desired temperature in order to effect separation of the components of the liquid and particularly to effect separation of water or other heavy components from the liquid.

porting postjfor hQIiZOfitflltllQtEltiOH on a pair of horizontal oppositely extending supporting arms, a means for heating and circulating the air about said receptacles, said means comprising in combination said receptacles and supporting arms,. apair of conduits for. a, circulatingheating, medium, a series of openings between, said conduits,

and, a. return conduit means leading from said openings to, the. central area of said chamber, whereby when said arms and said. receptacles are rotated, the air in, said chamber will be forced through said openings, heated by saidpair of conduits and returned to, said chamber for recirculation through said return conduit means, said pair of conduits positionednear; a, side Wall of said; chamber.

2. Means in, a closed; chamber centrifuge for heating and, circulating air, therein, said, means, comprising apair of conduitsfor conveyingv a heatingmediurn, a: heatingmedium; in said, conduits, a, series. of, spaced openings between said conduita, said conduits positioned, circumferentially a jacent to a si e-wall oftsaid chambcr,, i centrifuge, having a pair of oppositely disposed hori zontally, rotatable, receptacles and means; f'onrotating, said receptacles, the said receptacles, in conjunction with their supports when rotated acting to force. air through, said '4 openings, and a return conduit means for leading said air back into the central area of said chamber.

3. Means in a closed chamber centrifuge for heating and circulating air therein, said means comprising a heating medium conduit arranged circumferentially in a horizontal plane about said centrifuge, a heating medium in said conduit, a series of spaced openings in a portion of said centrifuge adjacent said conduit, said centrifuge having therein a pair of oppositely disposed horizontally rotatable receptacles andimeansfor rotating said receptacles, the said receptacles in conjunction with, their supports when rotated acting to force air past said heating conduit; through, said openings, and a. return, conduit. means for conducting said air back into the central area of said chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,3-21",288 Dalzel1. Nov. 11,1919 1,959,208 Kittel'son May 15;, 1934 2,628,773- Boil'eau Feb. 175, 1953 

